“…We focused our attention on the asymmetric F−C reactions of furans with active aldehydes, namely, glyoxylates, including diastereoselective and enantioselective approaches . The products of this reaction, 2-furanyl-hydroxyacetic acid esters ( I ) (Scheme ), are very interesting building blocks for the synthesis, and after reduction to diols II , these synthons can be transformed under oxidizing conditions to linear ( III ) as well as cyclic products, e.g., dihydropyranones ( IV ) or dihydropyridones ( V ). Such an approach was utilized for the synthesis of multifunctional chain compounds, higher-carbon sugars, aza sugars, and, e.g., in the synthesis of papulacandin D …”